Burch: Todd curries disfavor, again

Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 10:05pm

By Michael R. Burch

Curry Todd has redefined irony.

How very convenient for the state representative — arrested earlier this week and charged with DUI and possession of a handgun while under the influence — to not admit that he personally, and unwittingly, demonstrated that a bill he sponsored has been rendered sheer folly.

After all, it was Todd who spearheaded the 2009 legislation that allowed people with handgun permits to carry their weapons into establishments that serve alcohol — naïvely assuming they wouldn't drink. Even though police and prosecutors opposed the bill, it passed and survived then-Gov. Phil Bredesen’s veto.

During the debate over the bill in the Tennessee State Legislature, Todd assured his fellow lawmakers that the burden would not be on restaurant owners but, rather, on individuals. Todd’s reasoning was that gun carriers would be extra cautious and conscientious, knowing that if they were caught, they would lose their gun permits permanently.

But it seems the bill's sponsor wildly overestimated the personal ethics of inebriated individuals, including himself. It turns out that people who drink excessively — duh! — don't generally exercise good judgment. We must ask: Will Todd now give up his handguns forever, or is that just another pipe dream?

Todd posted bail of $3,000 and was released from jail Wednesday morning. He then released the following predictable statement:

"Let me begin by saying I am deeply sorry for the events of last evening. On the advice of legal counsel, I have decided not to make any public comments about the situation at this time."

Todd first drew national attention last year when he compared pregnant illegal immigrants to “reproducing rats.” Not surprisingly, the comment caught the attention of late-night comedians, who had a field day by skewering the man for his offensive and simpleton-like utterance. Once again, those comics are bound to have a good laugh at the expense of Tennesseans.

But as long as we keep electing politicians like Curry Todd, what should we expect? Cheers?

Michael R. Burch is a Nashville-based editor and publisher of Holocaust poetry and other “things literary” at www.thehypertexts.com.

For the lame of mind that means I am eating betweem(sic) breaskfast(sic)and lunch.

By:Captain Nemo on 10/14/11 at 10:34

bfra and brrrk-

Maybe we should make up with yogi and play some Black Jack with him.

By:Loner on 10/14/11 at 10:36

Maybe not fed-instigated, Ben, but certainly it was fed-fed. Are we again being fed a load of BS? It doesn't smell right. One must ask, "Cui bono (Who benefits)".

So far, it seems like the Israelis are the primary beneficiaries:

1. The possibilities of military strikes on Iran are now higher.

2. Israel's embassy was supposedly targeted, that makes them look like
innocent victims...certainly not the perpetrators.

3. Iran is now more isolated than before.

4. The spotlight is now on Iran, not the Jewish settlement boom in the OT.

5. Obama is forced to cuddle up to Netanyahu and the Jewish state concept.

I suspect that the clever Israeli Mossad may have orchestrated the whole thing; look who is reaping the rewards.

As I said, and sourced, the US Reps and US Senators who get the most money from Israel were the first to demand US action against Iran. Senator Lieberman alone received $1,217,090 from the Israel lobby in just the past six years. He must have received many millions from the Israel lobby over his long career....and it's all perfectly legal.

Senator Kirk received $1,196,903 from the Israel lobby and he was just elected to the US Senate in 2010. Of course, he may have received some of that cash when he was a US Rep from Illinois, prior to being elevated to the US Senate.

A Senator's or Rep's salary is nothing compared to this kind of Israeli money....no wonder they all leave office as multi-millionaires. Again, it's all legal.

And the US media is accepting the government's cockamamie story with few questions being asked...Helen Thomas was right.

This is a familiar pattern, Doctor Dover, are you cool with this foreign meddling and such?

By:brrrrk on 10/14/11 at 10:37

BenDover said

"We debate the degree to which we must submit to the state without discussing whether we should submit to the state. This is only news because a stupid restriction was imposed in the first place. Mr Todd neither blasted nor crashed into anyone. "

Give me a break. This bill was sold to the masses on the argument that god-fearin', gun-totin, law-abidin' Tennesseans could be responsible enough to deal with the law. And now we've been shown (by the man who sold that argument the hardest I might add) that this is not the case.

By:Captain Nemo on 10/14/11 at 10:41

Loner-

That is one scenario that could be and they have done other stupid stunts before. It is as good as any right now.

By:yogiman on 10/14/11 at 10:55

dumba..,

Maybe you brilliant? (question mark mine) Obama lovers could answer a few questions. Let's see.., just who in the hell is this man? Why did he tell a group of students he was born in Kenya? Why did his wife, speaking to a group of lesbians, say they took certain tests to travel through Africa to visit his homeland of Kenya? Why did his paternal grandmother state she was in the room with his mother when he was born... and she had never been out of Kenya at that time? Why is he using a Social Security number from Connecticut when he has never lived there? Why was his lawyer's license been revoked. Why has his wife's lawyer's license been revoked? Why do only his paternal relatives acknowledge knowing him? Why doesn't any past fellow college class mates acknowledge him?

There's more questions, dumba.., wanna know them? Obviously you and your fellow co-posters at this site don't have enough brain to give a damn what is happening to this nation.

I hope you find that bucket of knowledge before 11/2112.

By:BenDover on 10/14/11 at 10:55

First they took away our guns... then we have to beg for them back. That's not government under the power of people but people under the power of government.

The argument that we will compromise on restrictions and rules regarding getting back our liberties was what was wrong in the first place. Probably tracks back to the 19th amendment like most of the other problems in our society today Not only are the mama's boys setting policy in this country but also the mama's themselves. ; )

By:BenDover on 10/14/11 at 11:00

Sounds like the plot to a good movie, Loner; but it ignores the Occam-possibility that Iran is run by a bunch of crazy Imams and a lunatic dictator who want to bulldoze Israel into the Mediterranean Sea.

By:Loner on 10/14/11 at 11:01

Ben asked, "Did we burn the informant in the Cartel?"

No, Ben the informant was an undercover DEA employee, he'll get a nice raise and promotion, I suspect.

Thanks for the link LizzyD. Good to see you back here...you too, BFRA.

Yeah, the drumbeat for war with Iran is getting louder...we have troops in the region, they could be re-deployed, I guess...this is war a-go-go, 21st century style. Come on all you big strong men, Uncle Sam is in a helluva jam, way down yonder in old Iran...(thank you, Country Joe & the Fish)

If Obama can instigate another big war, he may retain his job. Historically Americans do not change the CINC in wartime. Junior Bush worked that to maximum advantage, didn't he?

Doctor Nobel must be rotating in his grave...this is a Peace Prize Prez?

By:Loner on 10/14/11 at 11:04

LOL, Brrrrk...Todd is an altar boy at that church? Water, wine and gunpowder undergoing transubstantiation into the body and blood of Christ...Our Lady of Ammo and Liquor...I love it.

By:Captain Nemo on 10/14/11 at 11:05

Shin’baka
Breath in the fumes some more and count to 21

By:Loner on 10/14/11 at 11:21

Ben wrote, "Sounds like the plot to a good movie, Loner; but it ignores the Occam-possibility that Iran is run by a bunch of crazy Imams and a lunatic dictator who want to bulldoze Israel into the Mediterranean Sea."

That's what makes this such a clever and ingenious plot, Ben. Americans truly believe that Iran is is run by a bunch of crazy Imams and a lunatic dictator who want to bulldoze Israel into the Mediterranean Sea. The trouble is, that ain't the case. That's Israeli propaganda.

It is Israel who has hundreds of illegal, unregistered, unregulated nuclear warheads and the means to deliver the hellish ordnance on target quickly and accurately, not the Islamic Republic of Iran...by the way, the Iranians claim to be a republic, not a democracy, you should respect that, as a fellow republican...they even have their republican guard...just like us... we have the republican old-guard and the Cornholio Tea Party republicans....they have their Cornholio republicans too.

It is Israel that wants to turn Iran into a glass parking lot, not the other way around, Ben. The Israelis are smart enough to get Uncle Sam to do the dirty work...as usual...some "ally" these Israelis are....they are like a bird dog, they point out the enemy, but don't do any shooting.

Enough of this madness!

By:Loner on 10/14/11 at 11:35

Ben, if you are against the 19th Amendment, you must be a male chauvinist pig, right? Your bacon is in the fire now...squeal like a pig. Ladies, Ben thinks that women voting is a bad idea...any comments?

By:Captain Nemo on 10/14/11 at 11:39

BedDover you are a hater of women.

BuddyBee Itch

By:Loner on 10/14/11 at 11:50

I must say, in defense of the chauvinist swine, that sometimes the mothers act like a bunch of muthahs.

Look at Rep. Ileana Ros Lehtinen, (R-FL) for example. One might think that, as a mother, she would be loathe to put anyone's children in harm's way....as it turns out, she is one of the biggest hawks in the US House and she chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee. BTW, she got $146,707 from the Israel lobby over the past two years. Ros-Lehtinen's maternal grandparents were Sephardic Jews from Turkey who had been active in Cuba's Jewish community, but that's not supposed to matter, right?

Holy Wars Suck.

By:brrrrk on 10/14/11 at 11:59

Loner said

"Ben, if you are against the 19th Amendment, you must be a male chauvinist pig, right? Your bacon is in the fire now...squeal like a pig. Ladies, Ben thinks that women voting is a bad idea...any comments?"

Hey, why not go back to the idea of only property and business owners being able to vote..... can't have those with more "servile employments" get in there and mess things up, can we?

By:yogiman on 10/14/11 at 12:13

BenDover,

I must disagree with you on the repeal of the 19th Amendment. Women also have the right to vote. after all, if it wasn't for them, we wouldn't be here... would we?

But I do firmly believe the 17th Amendment should be repealed. Until it was enacted, the Senators represented the States that appointed them. They didn't need to constantly run for re-election.

The House of Representative, as now (or should I say...used to), represent the people.

We need the other department to represent our states.

By:dargent7 on 10/14/11 at 12:22

We're in SIX wars?
No, pal, we're in two ground wars.
Providing air support with NATO for the attack on Lybia isn't/ and doesn't qualify as a 'war".
But, Perry's wife I think is your ideal First Lady.
She hasn't killed anyone (Laura Bush at 17), but has seen the "burning bush".
Hubby Rick, too. Both had God speak to them about running for president.
And Romney's leader of the LDS saw BOTH God AND Jesus at the same time.
Let's have him and his whole families, "Magic Underware" in the W.H.
5 sons of military age and not a one volunteered for "Mitt's Wars".
So, we can have two psychotropic seers in the W.H., the "Perry's"
or "The Magic Underware family".
You GOP'ers need to get on some serious medication.

By:Captain Nemo on 10/14/11 at 12:28

If I was Ben I would reevaluate my post now that the yogster has endorsed it.

Oh Boy-

By:Captain Nemo on 10/14/11 at 12:33

A woman place is barefoot and pregnant and serves me beer for breakfast.

Kyle Pyle-

By:yogiman on 10/14/11 at 12:45

dargent7,

War is war. On the ground, or in the air. What authority has he accumulated to give him the authority to enter any conflict without congressional approval? In an apparent emergency only, which (by our constitution) he must get congressional approval withing 60 days.

And by the way, our nation hasn't been in a war since WWII. Only conflicts, assumed to be conflicts of interest to out nation.

And may I say: Perry, and Romney are legally qualified to hold that office. Barry ain't.

By:Captain Nemo on 10/14/11 at 1:36

And may I say: Perry, and Romney are legally qualified to hold that office. Barry ain't.

Prove it sham’bo.

By:BenDover on 10/14/11 at 2:10

Iranian President Imajihad:

Israel must be "wiped off the map"

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/26/world/africa/26iht-iran.html

By:BenDover on 10/14/11 at 2:26

17th is not that great but I can live with it. Worst is either 19th or 16th ... favoring 16th as the worst. 18th was a total screw-up but they fixed that one.

http://tinyurl.com/1900sPinUp

By:brrrrk on 10/14/11 at 2:45

Captain Nemo said

"If I was Ben I would reevaluate my post now that the yogster has endorsed it."

That would surely be the kiss of DUH!!!

By:yogiman on 10/14/11 at 3:50

brrrk,

I'm thankful I don't equal the intelligence of you and your beloved fellow poster; dumba...

dumba.., I honestly don't think you have enough intelligence in your skull to understand what the Constitution means. And I honestly question if you have ever read it.

So, with you not having any common sense at all, you can't understand both of the parents of a natural born citizen must be citizens. Not just one, dumba.., but both.

Isn't that a decision the Senate made when they questioned John McCain? And isn't that the apparent reason "Barack Obama" refused to be questioned?

By:yogiman on 10/14/11 at 4:02

Sorry, BenDover,

I must disagree with you. When the Senate is elected and put in office the same as the House, what's the difference in representing the people? The only difference is their terms of office and what bill they cam originate. Otherwise, its just a cummasee, cummasaw. The 17th Amendment should be repealed and put them back to representing the states our founders decided at the beginning of our nation.

I agree the 16th should also be repealed. A flat tax would be a fair tax. But women are the main creatures that put us boys on this earth. So what makes the men so much smarter than them they shouldn't vote for their masters?

By:brrrrk on 10/14/11 at 4:29

Here's the GOP agenda......

"The bottom line is, I could argue that I don't have to create any jobs," Scott said on 540-AM in Maitland. "I just have to make sure we don't lose jobs." Florida Governor Rick Scott.

Get it? He doesn't want to create jobs because that will help Obama.....

Captain Nemo on 10/14/11 at 9:06
By: sidneyames on 10/14/11 at 8:04
"coulda, shoulda, woulda": But didn't happen, so what's your point?" Not relevant data. The facts are the facts. And he will face a trial - or plea out - or, or, or. However, he is one in thousands who have carry permits. His situation is not the "norm"; it appears to be the exeption to the rule since more of these situations are not occurring.
*****************************************************************

Our very own drunken gun totting lobbyist comes to Todd’s rescue. Her morning breath smells of alcohol and gun power and around her neckline is a necklace made of Bud Light bottle tops.
*****************

Capt. no one takes you seriously; especially me. You are so wrong on many, if not all, accounts.

By:Loner on 10/14/11 at 8:53

Evening wrap-up...

Well, we pressed the last squeezings on the 2011 Curry Todd grapes, we ran the juice through a cheese cloth and now we can let it ferment for a while...let the microbes perform their magic...in vino veritas est...in wine [there] is truth.

The irony was intoxicating...but we've had a few too many...I'm getting a hang-over already.

Ben schlepped in the original NYT story about the "wipe Israel off the map" remarks coming out of Iran, back in 2005. The narrative has not changed much.

There are those who claim that the original remark was mis-translated from the Farsi language of Iran. They claim that wiping a political entity (Israel) off the map is not the same thing as wiping out the inhabitants of the place. The Iranians are not threatening to annihilate the Jewish people, according to this line of reasoning.

The Iranians, like the Arabs, reject the UN partitioning of Palestine; I tend to agree with those who believe that the UN made a grave error to begin with and the US and the Europeans have exacerbated the original mistake by arming and bankrolling the armed Jewish extremists who are busy colonizing the place.

There may be something to the mis-translation theory. After all we Americans wanted to wipe the USSR off the map for years; but we never wanted to annihilate the inhabitants of the place. We just wanted some borders to be redefined; that's all that the Iranians and Arabs are asking for. That's not an unreasonable position, or the rantings of mad Mullahs and lunatic Iranian politicians.

The Iranians need a better public relations department; their ham-handed attempt to win the world's sympathy is a dismal failure. That failure could result in a needless, counter-productive war. Let's hope that cooler heads prevail in Tehran, Riyadh, Washington and Jerusalem.

By:pswindle on 10/14/11 at 10:05

There are several laws that the TN GOP passed that will come back and bite them. Example: Voter ID, collective bargaining, all the laws that protect our Governor's businesses, Tort reform, Metro gay rights, teachers' evaluations and tenure and of course the famous gun laws just to name a few. It is time for TN to wake up, and take our rights back. I wish that I could have been a fly on the wall when all of the GOP Governors got toether after the last election and decided to take everyone's rights away. I'm sure that they did not count on being challenged.

By:yogiman on 10/15/11 at 7:35

Sorry to disappoint you, dargent7,

Your boy just sent troops into Uganda to help that nation's "master' oppose some offenders. Did he get bother to get approval from congress?